Natalie Tierney

Natalie Tierney is the Director of Communications & Special Programs for the Military Animal Project (MAP). In this role, she drives grant development, program design, and organizational infrastructure while leading MAP’s communications to educate the public and connect veterans with purpose, stability, and long-term support through service-dog training and peer-recovery models.

Natalie’s career blends nonprofit service, law enforcement, and operations. Since 2016, she has managed crisis-response teams with the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) of Northern Nevada, coordinating scheduling, mentorship, and community partnerships, and providing on-scene emotional and practical support alongside law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel. Earlier, she served as a Special Crimes Investigator and K9 Deputy with the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office (2009–2016), conducting felony investigations and forensic child interviews while serving as a certified K9 handler. Her service has been recognized with the Life Saving Award (2014) and two Deputy of the Year honors. She also brings private-sector experience as an operations leader and office manager, overseeing payroll, budgeting, compliance, and vendor management. For 14 years, she volunteered with the National Championship Air Races in air-operations.

Committed to trauma-informed, evidence-based practice, Natalie has completed extensive training in suicide prevention, crisis intervention (CISM/CIT), leadership, and more than 1,500 hours of specialized K9 work. She holds a B.S. in Applied Business with a minor in Social Work from Grand Canyon University and is pursuing an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at GCU. Based in Reno, Nevada, she is driven by a simple promise: to honor those who served by building sustainable, high-impact programs that help them thrive.